i think they are going for a smaller deal that could put off some of the effects of the fiscal cliff and get a tax cut extension for those making $250,000 or less. wealthier americans would pay for. you would avoid the fiscal cliff for now. you kick the can down the road. this is washington dysfunction at its height but it would forestal the cliff >>> i wonder if we are seeing a change to speaker boehner that got his hand slapped by some members of his party. is there long-term damage here? >> the white house is that they don't have a real partner to negotiate with. republicans are facing a reality that the public is supportive of raising taxes on wealthier americans. they are likely to have to support that. the question is always whether boehner is going to move forward without a majority support from his own party on a particular bill that may start from coming from the senate. these are debates that have to still be resolved. even if there is a short-term deal, these big issues over taxes and spending are far from resolved. if we get into the president's second term, they are stil